Pienten Helsinki
Activity tips for Helsinki for week three
Updated 20.1.2018What child-friendly activities are available in Helsinki? Where to go with small children on weekends? What to do on a rainy day? Pienten Helsinki’s weekly series looks for activity tips and recommends family-friendly places in Helsinki and the surrounding area. The target audience of the website is children under school age.
Pienten Helsinki’s Where to go this week articles will also appear in 2018 always (at the latest) on Mondays and suggest what’s happening in the city for families with children. The third Where to go article of 2018 takes you to, for example, the spring opening of Myllypuro’s exercise fun activities, toddler drop-in workshops and possibly also to the new temporary premises of Hakaniemi market hall, which are scheduled to open in week three (the exact date is not yet known).
Weekly programs at playgrounds and family centers will start mainly this week, and the parks offer activities in the mornings for babies, toddlers and others in home care with their own adult. The indoor facilities of playgrounds are available for families to use, even if there is no official organized activity. Come in boldly and ask for more information from the staff!
P.S. If only there was snow!
Also see Pienten Helsinki’s new list of upcoming events, which is updated with upcoming spring 2018 events.
Pienten Helsinki’s tips can also be read on the City of Helsinki’s tourism marketing My Helsinki website in Finnish, Swedish and English.
Things to do with children indoors On a trip around the city - things to do with children outdoors
Monday » | Tuesday » | Wednesday » | Thursday » | Friday » | Saturday » | Sunday »
MONDAY 15.1.2018
Events:Story time at Puistola library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby music class at Paloheinä library at 1 p.m. Note! Registration required for the music class!
Malmi Mondays – craft sessions for families at Malmi library 5-7 p.m.
Bird watching at Arabianranta library through February. Read more on the library’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
Tuula Pere’s children’s book illustration exhibition at Malmitalo 15.1.-28.2.2018. Story hours and other programs for children are organized in connection with the exhibition. Read more about the exhibition on Malmitalo’s website.
TIP: MLL’s family café meets on Mondays at the Itäkatu family center 9 a.m.-12 p.m. The family café, open to all families with small children, is a place to come play, spend time and meet other families in the same life situation at your own pace. Read more on the family center’s Facebook page.
TUESDAY 16.1.2018
Events:Story time at Malmi library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Kannelmäki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Herttoniemi library at 9:45 a.m. Story time at Töölö library club room at 10:15 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Tapulinkaupunki library at 10:30 a.m.
The spring season of family ball games continues at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running or learning to walk. Family ball games on Tuesdays 9:30-11:30 a.m. and 4-6 p.m. Morning ball games are free for everyone, afternoon games cost adults Pallomylly’s single-use fee (€3.50).
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
TIP: Adventuring with children on the West Metro? Read the first part of Pienten Helsinki’s Metro to the West series for family-friendly tips in Lauttasaari and Koivusaari.
WEDNESDAY 17.1.2018
Events:Story time at Tapanila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Arabianranta library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Maunula library at 10 a.m. Mörkö story at Jätkäsaari library at 10 a.m. Story time at Oulunkylä library at 5 p.m.
Toddler rhyme time at Pukinmäki library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Pukinmäki library at 11 a.m. FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Kannelmäki library at 1:30 p.m. FOR BABIES and parents: BabyKino at Töölö library at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. Read more about BabyKino at Töölö library on the library’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
The Police’s own band Nallekopla performs at Tuorinniemi playground at 10:30 a.m. Free admission. Read more on the playground’s Facebook page.
Note! The Children’s snow days at Paloheinä sports park, previously listed in Pienten Helsinki’s upcoming events, have been postponed to a later date due to poor snow conditions.
TIP: Kindergarten Museum opens again after the Christmas break and is open on Wednesdays 12-6 p.m. Admission €4/€2/free.
THURSDAY 18.1.2018
Events:Story hour at Pasila library at 9:30 a.m. Story hour at Suutarila library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Tapulinkaupunki library at 9:30 a.m. Story time at Laajasalo library at 9:45 a.m. Mörkö story at Jätkäsaari library at 10 a.m.
FOR BABIES: Baby rhyme time at Roihuvuori library at 10 a.m.
Family ball games spring season continues at Pallomylly indoor hall at Myllypuro sports park. In family ball games, all children under 9 move on soft artificial turf with their own adult. Free play, stunts, running or learning to walk. Family ball games on Thursdays 4-5 p.m., adults pay Pallomylly’s single-use fee (€3.50), free for children.
Toddler drop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are designed for 1-4-year-olds and the adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and can drop in at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
TIP for parents (and also children): Science Night is being celebrated on Thursday in the downtown area. You can pop into, for example, the Bank of Finland money museum with children. Check out the Science Night program on the event’s website.
FRIDAY 19.1.2018
Story time at Roihuvuori library at 9:45 a.m.Story yoga at Arabianranta library at 10 a.m. Registration required.
Stuffed animal night at Kontu library on Friday. Read more on the library’s website and bring your stuffed toy to pajama parties.
Lurpukka and the Blue Coat is a puppet theater performance at Sampo suitable for the whole family, even the youngest, on Friday at 10 a.m. Tickets €12. Read more about the performance and book tickets on puppet theater Sampo’s website.
Naperокino at Annantalo Fridays 10 a.m.-12 p.m. This week’s theme is creativity and art. Read more about Naperokino on Annantalo’s website.
Toddler drop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are designed for 1-4-year-olds and the adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and can drop in at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
TIP to Vantaa: At Tikkurila library in Vantaa, Singing together with children event on Friday at 10 a.m. You can also bring your own instrument or borrow one from the library. Read more about this fun group singing moment on the library’s website.
SATURDAY 20.1.2018
Events:Families eating out - an event at restaurants around the city on Saturday. The idea is to promote more family-friendly restaurant culture. Check out the list of restaurants participating in the event and familiarize yourself with the event’s background idea on the Families eating out website.
Toddler drop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are designed for 1-4-year-olds and the adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and can drop in at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
In Swedish: This year’s first Rimjam at LillaLuckan at 1 p.m. Read more about Rimjam on their Facebook event page.
DanceAbility dance class at Annantalo for 3-12-year-olds with their own adult. Suitable for everyone regardless of disability or ability. Read more about DanceAbility classes on Annantalo’s website. Free admission.
Pikkukulkuri’s Safari story puppet theater performance at Annantalo on Saturday at 2 p.m. The performance is suitable for ages 2+. Tickets €10. Read more on Annantalo’s website.
Lurpukka and the Blue Coat is a puppet theater performance at Sampo suitable for the whole family, even the youngest, on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €12. Read more about the performance and book tickets on puppet theater Sampo’s website.
The Earl of Pompompline’s cheerful concert at Malmitalo on Saturday at 3 p.m. Tickets €7.50/€5.50. Read more and buy tickets on Malmitalo’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
TIP to Espoo: Jazz for Kids - a family jazz session at Espoo Cultural Center (Tapiola) on Saturday at 11 a.m. Read more on Espoo culture’s website. Free admission.
SUNDAY 21.1.2018
Events:Exercise fun activities spring season starts at Myllypuro Sports Mill on Sunday 9-10:45 a.m. Joint physical activity for the whole family, with activities even for the tiniest ones. Exercise fun activities continue in Myllypuro on Sundays until 25.3.2018 (not on 18.2.2018). Free for children, adults €3.50. More information on the Helsinki moves website.
Life Flowers children’s disco at cultural arena Gloria on Sunday 12-4 p.m. Free admission. Read more and submit song requests on the event’s Facebook page.
Children’s Sundays at Kino Engel. Children’s film screenings at Kino Engel in Swedish. Read more on the event’s Facebook page. Paid.
Tatu and Patu at work musical theater performance at Kapsäkki music theater on Sunday at 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Tickets €13.50/€22.50. Read more about the performance on Kapsäkki’s website.
The Enchanting Magic Forest at Korjaamo courtyard until 4.2.2018. Free admission. Read more on Korjaamo’s website.
TIP: You should get to know Annantalo’s spring 2018 program now, as many events and performances need to be booked in advance! Check out the spring program on Annantalo’s website.
Also remember these:
You can already go ice skating on artificial ice rinks and most of the city's other skating rinks are being frozen right now! Read more about rink locations, admission fees and opening hours on the City of Helsinki's website. Also Ice Park at Rautatientori is open daily.Tuula Pere’s children’s book illustration exhibition at Malmitalo 15.1.-28.2.2018. Story hours and other programs for children are organized in connection with the exhibition. Read more about the exhibition on Malmitalo’s website.
Previously Unseen Animals exhibition starting 11.1.2018 at the Nordic Library on Kaisaniemenkatu. The exhibition is based on the same-titled picture book by Ulf Stark and Linda Bondestam, which was awarded the Nordic Council Children’s and Young People’s Literature Prize in 2017. The exhibition is on display until 28.3.2018 during the Nordic Library’s opening hours. Read more on the library’s website.
Toddler drop-in workshops at Contemporary Art Museum Kiasma start and continue on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays 10 a.m.-1 p.m. until 10.2.2018. The workshops are designed for 1-4-year-olds and the adults accompanying them. You can participate in the workshops with the museum’s admission fee and can drop in at your own pace. Read more on Kiasma’s website.
The stars of Library 10’s third children’s own art exhibition are siblings Aava and Armas. They opened their art exhibition right after Christmas and held opening celebrations on 27.12.2017. You can admire Aava and Armas’s art during library opening hours until 21.1.2018. Children’s own art exhibition activity is believed to be a unique concept in Finland, and the exhibition can be held by any child. More information about the event and Library 10’s exhibition activities.
Movies: Heinähattu, Vilttitossu and the Rubens Brothers as well as Moomins’ magic winter are currently playing in movie theaters and are suitable for small children’s first movie experience. Finnkino movie theaters are open on Christmas Day, Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day.
Espoo: Finland’s largest miniature railway at Sello shopping center in December-January. Exact opening hours on the Alpine Railway Enthusiasts’ website.
